About Us History

James D. Davis

Thank goodness for history buffs!  Without their insatiable interest in history, we can only guess how much local history would be lost.  James D. Davis was one of the original Memphis history buffs and a lover of a good yarn.  He set out to preserve memories of  the early days of Memphis in his lengthy- titled 1873 book The History of the City of Memphis  Being a Compilation of the Most Important Documents and Historical Events Connected with the Purchase of its Territory, Laying off of the City and early Settlement  ALSO, The “Old Times Papers”.  The book consists of articles written for the newspapers from 1824 until the late 1870s plus a series of reminiscences and local stories. Enjoy this story about an early Memphis character; Isaac “Squire” Rawlings, who is asked to settle a dispute between two men.

A Hard Story

Passing Johnson’s tavern once, in his very erect and rapid manner, he was stopped by Gus Young and Bob Lawrence, two pretty fast young men, but not more so than was common at that day, who asked him to settle a legal question between then.  The “Squire” did not like to be stopped in the street, but legal questions had precedence over everything else, so he smacked his lips, indicating that he was ready.  Gus explained that he had sold Bob a lot, with a stable on it, in the loft of which there was a quantity of corn, while outside, on the lot, there was a pile of manure.  After the sale and transfer, he sent to haul away this corn and manure, but Lawrence forbade the removal, claiming them as his property, by virtue of the purchase of the lot.  Ike smacked his lips again, and decided that the corn could be removed, as it was personal property, but the manure was a part of the realty, as much so as if it was spread over or plowed into the ground.  He quoted several standard authorities in support of his decision, and again smacked his lips.  “Well,” said Gus, with an apparently perplexed air, “can you now tell us, ‘Squire, how a mule can eat personal property and discharge real estate?”